Press control mechanism



y 1936- A. F. HANNEY 2,040,991

PRES S CONTROL MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 29, l935 INVENTOR ANGUS F. HANNEY AT OR EYJW ing member to finally close the machine.

Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,040,991 PRESS CONTROL MECHANISM Application August 29, 1935, Serial No. 38,401

12 Claims.

This invention relates to control mechanism for pressing machines and more particularly to a mechanism designed for the safe control of pressing machines of the type utilized in ironing garments and laundry goods.

My present invention provides a novel control mechanism for that type of pressing machine in which one member'is moved to position adjacent, the other and held there while fluid pressure actuated mechanism moves the other press- My control mechanism provides means for relieving the pressure in this fluid pressure actuated mechanism at such times as the two pressing members are not in proper pressing position opposed to each other. 7

The control mechanism here disclosed is particularly applicable to that type of pressing machine in which the pressing engagement between the coacting members is provided by the expansion of 'a diaphragm member and wherein overexpansion of the diaphragm member would be harmful in that it might disrupt the diaphragm member or injure an operator or both. To this end my control mechanism provides a novel means for relieving the pressure beneath such a diaphragm member except when the opposed pressing member is in position to limit the expansion of the diaphragm member.

Another feature of my improved control mechanism is the safe control of pressure in a diaphragm actuated pressing member wherein the pressing machine is arranged to bring a-coacting member into position adjacent, but not in pressure contact with, the diaphragm actuated member and wherein the pressing member opposed to the diaphragm member is biased away from it, it being possible in this type of machine to explode the diaphragm if the opposed pressing member should accidentally be removed.

Another feature of my invention is the novel structural arrangements for the pressure control of motive fluid within a'pressing member which includes a diaphragm-like movable wall.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section of a pressing machine embodying my invention and with the control mechanism shown somewhat diagrammatically; Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the pressing members of Fig. 1 partly broken away to show the structure of the parts; Fig. 3 is a partial view of the press ing members of Fig. 1 showing the same when the pressing machine is normally closed; while Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the position of the parts with the press opened and with the pressure control device in operation.

Certain features of my invention are applicable to pressing machines where one of the pressing members is moved toward the other by any fluid actuated means and where it is desired to limit any undue movement of the pressing member beyond that normally required to close the press. However, I have chosen to illustrate my device as applied to a pressing machine in which the final pressure between the pressing elements is supplied by a flexible and distensible diaphragm member because great danger is involved upon over-expansion of such a diaphragm member. In the form shown on a frame I0 is mounted a pressing bed indicated generally at I I and which comprises a base member I2 which 7 carries a diaphragm member I3 which might be a completely closed flexible chamber or bag but which in the present embodiment forms a fluidtight chamber by securing the diaphragm at its edges I4 to the base I2 in a fluid-tight manner so as to form a chamber I5 between the diaphragm and base. Pressure fluid is supplied to this chamber from a source of supply IB and through a valve casing I1 and conduit I8. The valve casing I'I houses a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve mounted on a common stem for actuation by manual H11 and detent mechanism is shown at no for holding the valves in actuated position upon movement upwardly of manual IIa.

Means is provided for relieving the pressure within chamber I5 upon over-expansion of the diaphragm. To this end a valve is arranged to relieve the pressure within the chamber I5, this valve comprising parts adapted to open the valve upon sufficient relative separating movement between the diaphragm and base. The arrangement shown comprises a valve which includes a valve seat I9 and a coacting valve disk 20, the parts being housed in a suitable casing 2|. The casing 2| and the seat I9 are substantially rigid with the base [2 and the disk 20 has an operative connection with the diaphragm I3 by means of a valve stem 22 which carries at its upper end a flat head 23. Secured to the under surface of the diaphragm is a plate 24 having a notch 24a adapted to receive the valve stem 22 so that the parts may be separated by relative lateral movement if repairs or removals are necessary. Communication between chamber I5.and the body of the valve casing 2I is by way of ports 25 and an outlet port from the valve casing is provided at '5 5 26. A spring 27 biases valve disk 29 in a normally closed position and the connection between the I a which is taken up in the case of over-expansion rear end of the head lever and the frame;

of the diaphragm member as illustrated in Fig. 4, whereupon the parts 23 and 24 engage so that disk 201s lifted from its seat I9.

The pressing machine includes a suitable pressing head 28 adapted to coact with the bed II.. Many forms of head and bed pressing members may be utilized'in machines ofthis type, the embodiment shown being of a type designed to iron mens shirts. The head is carried on a lever 29 which is pivotally supported on the frame at 13.0 and is moved from open to closed positionby toggle links 3| and 32 connected between the A fluid motor 33 is connected with the toggle links to move theminto and beyond straightened position when the head approaches the pressing bed without exerting any substantial pressure thereupon,

" that is to say, when the head is in the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

j in Fig.3.

This motor 33 includes a piston 330. whose rod 33b'is connected to the toggle links and the stroke of the motor is suflicient to move the links to beyond straightened position where the toggle mechanism contacts a bumper mechanism 34. A spring 35 biases the pressing head toward open position. A snubber 36 helps to control the movement of the pressing head at both ends of its path of movement. Motive fluidis supplied to motor 33 from'a source 31 through casing 38, conduit 39 valve casing 40 and conduit 4 I. Casing 38 houses a normally closed inlet valve and casing. 40 houses a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open'exhaust valve.

The valves in these casings are actuatedby manuals 38a and 400. respectively which are arranged in suitable position at the front of the press and spaced apart so as to require a hand of the operator on each one to actuate motor 33.

, {With the parts in the position of Fig. 1, the

operator arranges the lay of the work upon the bed member II either directly upon the diaphragm I3or a padding lying thereover. She then actuates manuals 38a and 40a to admit pressure fluid to motor 33 straightening the toggle links and moving them into a strut-forming position when the head 28 reaches the positionshown This is the preliminary closed position of the press and release of either of the manuals 28a or 40a during this period of press operation will result in a returning of the head to open position under the influence of .snubber 34 and spring 35. If manual 40a is released. the outlet valve in casing 4D'will exhaust motor '33, while if manual 38a is released motor 33 will be exhausted throughthe small vent 33c. To complete the closing of the press the operator pulls upwardly on'manual. I 1a which preferably is located adjacent one ofthetwo spaced safety manuals so as tobe actuated by the-same hand of the operator.

,gagemen't with the 'head. Thereafter manuals 38a and 46a may be released as the upward pressureof' the, bed holds the togglelinks 3] and .32

and therefore manual IIa may be released. At

, haust valve in casing II.

This causes a flow of pressure fluid to chamber I;and expands diaphragm I3 raising the pressing surface ofthe bed into errthis time the pressing members are in the position of Fig. 3 in which will be noted that dia connection between the parts 23 and .24 so that valve disk remains in engagement with its seat I9.

detent mechanism whereupon fluid is exhausted from beneath the diaphragm I3 by way of the ex- This deflates the diaphragm and removes the pressure from beneath the head whereupon the mechanism 34, 35 is available to return the parts to their original position. a If through accident or otherwise, pressure should be admitted to chamber I5,'as by actuation of manual I Ia when the pressing head was in open position as shown in Fig. 4, the diaphragm I3 would be distended, but as the diaphragm moves beyond the normal position necessary to cause pressure engagement as previously described in connection with Fig. .3, this further movement takes up'the lost ;:motion between the head 23 and the plate 24 :thus exerting :a pull upon stem 22 and raising disk 20 from the seat I9'which permits a relief of pressure through conduit 26 either to the atmosphere or other point of low pressure. "This same action will takeplace'ifrthe press has been safely closed as shown in "FigQS and the head is later inadvertently opened 'whi le -pressure is still being exerted beneath the diaphragm I3.

My improved control imBChaIIlSIH EhBIEfOfl-I makes it impossible-t0 expand the diaphragm member I3 in an unsafe manner which might result "in destruction of the press or injury to the operator.

My invention is applicable to expansible diaphragms no matter how constructed and is applicable for instance to diaphragms composed of metal or other materials. trated the diaphragm ;is intended to be constructed of rubber or of a combination :of rubber and fabric. While the pressuresupplied at the In the .form illus-.

To open the press, the operator de- 1 presses manual I'Ia. against the action of the source I6 is usually less than that at the source 31 yet the pressure of the fluid against the diaphragm I3 is exerted over such an area that the total force tending toexplode the diaphragm is very great and it is against this tendency to rupture the diaphragm that certain features of my invention are directed.

What I claim is: a

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, one of said members including diaphragm means for moving the pressing S111; face of said member into pressure engagement with the other of said members, means for holding said members in juxtaposition, pressure -fluid means for expanding said diaphragm means, and means for relieving said pressure fluid means re sponsive to expansion of said diaphragm means substantially greater than that normally'necessary for causing pressing engagementfbetween the pressing members.

members to a point at substantially. a fixed distance from the other of said members and .for.

holding it there, diaphragnr meansjfor moving the pressing surface of the other of said; members into pressureengagement with the 'first member,

fluid means for expanding said diaphragm'means,

and means for. relieving said fluid means respon sive to movement of said diaphragm means substantially beyond said fixed distance.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting expanding said diaphragm means, and means for relieving said fluid pressure responsive to expansion of said diaphragm means beyond normal.

4. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, means for moving one of said members into position opposed to the other of said members and for holding it there, expansible diaphragm means for moving the pressing surface of one of said members into pressure engagement with the other member, said diaphragm means being normally expansible sufilciently to cause said engagement, fluid pressure means for expanding said diaphragm means, including a normally closed valve adapted when opened to exhaust fluid from said diaphragm means, and means for opening said valve responsive to expansion of said diaphragm means beyond normal.

5. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, means for moving one of said members into position opposed to the other of said members and for holding it there, expansible diaphragm means for moving the pressing surface of one of said members into pressure engagement with the other member, said diaphragm means being normally expansible sufficiently to cause said engagement, fluid pressure means for expanding said diaphragm means including a normally closed valve adapted when opened to exhaust fluid from said diaphragm means, a part for opening said valve and actuable by expansion movement of said diaphragm means, there being an operative connection between said part and said diaphragm means, and said connection including lost motion sufiicient to permit normal expansion of said diaphragm means Without actuating said part.

6. In a pressing element, a base, a member movable relative thereto for causing pressing action, fluid pressure means for causing said relative movement, a normally closed pressure relief valve communicating with said means, and means for opening said valve by relative movement between said base and said member beyond a predetermined amount.

7. In a pressing element, a base, a diaphragm member movable relative thereto for causing pressing action, said member being secured to said base to form a substantially fluid-tight chamber therebetween, means for admitting fluid under pressure to said chamber to expand said diaphragm, a normally closed pressure relief valve communicating with said chamber, and means for opening said valve by relative movement between said base and said member beyond a predetermined amount.

8. In a pressing machine, head and bed pressing members, means for moving said head from open to preliminary closed position, a control member for said means, means for normally returning said head to open position from preliminary closed position upon release of said control member, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the pressing surface of said bed into engagement with said head to finally close the press, said head moving means being held against said returning means when finally closed, and means for relieving the pressure in said bed surface moving means responsive to movement thereof beyond final closed position.

9. In a pressing machine, head and bed pressing members, means for moving said head from open to preliminary closed position, a control member for said means, means for normally returning said head to open position from preliminary closed position upon release of said control member, fluid pressure actuated diaphragm means for moving the pressing surface of said bed into engagement with said head to finally close the'press, said head moving means being held against said returning means when finally closed, and means for relieving the pressure in said diaphragm means responsive to movement thereof beyond final closed position.

10. In a pressing machine, head and bed pressing members, means for moving said head from open to preliminary closed position, a control member for said means, means for normally returning said head to open position from preliminary closed position upon release of said control member, fluid pressure actuated means for moving thepressing surface of said bed into engagement with said head tofinally close the press, said head moving means being held against said returning means when finally closed, a control member for said bed surface moving means controlled by the operator, and means for relieving the pressure in said bed surface moving means responsive to movement thereof beyond final closed position.

11. In a pressing machine, head and bed pressing members, means for moving saidhead from open to preliminary closed position, two spaced safety control members for said means both of which must be operated to effectively actuate said means, means for normally returning said head to open position from preliminary closed position upon release of one of said control members, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the pressing surface of said bed into engagement with said head to finally close the press, said head moving means being held against said returning means when finally closed, a control member for said bed surface moving means controlled by the operator, and means for relieving the pressure in said bed surface moving means responsive to movement thereof beyond final closed position.

12. In a pressing machine, coacting head and bed pressing members, mechanism for placing and holding said head in position adjacent said bed, said bed including a base and a flexible substantially fluid-tight diaphragm carried thereby and forming a fluid-tight chamber for moving the surface of said bed toward said head, means for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber to expand said diaphragm and cause bed engagement with said head, a normally closed valve controlling communication between said chamber and atmosphere, said valve including relatively movable parts one substantially rigid with said base and the other operatively connected with said diaphragm, whereby said valve may be opened by relative separation between said base and diaphragm, said operative connection comprising a lost motion connection permitting bed engagement with said head without valve opening, and said parts being arranged to open said valve responsive to a relative separating movement of said base and diaphragm beyond that necessary to cause bed engagement with said head.

ANGUS F. I-IANNEY. 

